BITESIZE #38 | Ric Lewis: Don’t confuse activity with productivity

Today’s bitesize brilliance is with leading businessman Ric Lewis, a massive highlight of Series 5. Ric was ranked first in the UK’s 2019 Powerlist, an annual list of the UK’s most influential people with African or Afro-Caribbean heritage. 

This episode had an enormous reaction. And we’ve just highlighted a few principles Ric shared that really resonated. Challenge the people around you to see who gets in your circle. And don’t confuse activity with productivity. Jake and Damian look back and offer further insight in Ric’s principles. 

Listen to his full episode. Guiding principles for business, life and happiness: https://pod.fo/e/dd561 

(Damian references in this ep are: Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy & 

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch)

. . . . . . . 

Get a special signed copy of our book - ‘Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best’ : htps://bit.ly/3kCqhFp

Pre-order our book: http://smarturl.it/hv0sdz

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In this episode, the hosts discuss key principles for success in business, life, and personal happiness, drawing insights from a conversation with leading businessman Ric Lewis.

1. **Challenge the People Around You:**

- Evaluate the individuals in your circle and consider whether they positively contribute to your growth and ambitions.
- Be selective about who you allow into your inner circle, ensuring they align with your values and goals.

2. **Avoid Confusing Activity with Productivity:**

- Distinguish between being busy and being productive.
- Focus on tasks that genuinely contribute to your objectives and avoid getting caught up in unproductive activities.

3. **Prioritize Speed to Action:**

- Reduce the time between decision-making and taking action.
- Embrace calculated risks and avoid overanalyzing situations.
- Be willing to make mistakes and learn from them rather than delaying action due to uncertainty.

4. **Form a Strong Support System:**

- Surround yourself with a network of supportive individuals who believe in you and your aspirations.
- Seek out mentors, coaches, and peers who can offer guidance, encouragement, and accountability.

5. **Embrace Hard Work:**

- Recognize that success often requires dedication and perseverance through challenging situations.
- Be prepared to put in the effort necessary to achieve your goals, even when faced with obstacles.

6. **Focus on Energy Management:**

- Understand that energy, both physical and mental, is a finite resource.
- Prioritize tasks that align with your values and goals, and avoid draining your energy on activities that do not contribute to your overall well-being.

7. **Start Taking Action Now:**

- Break down long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps.
- Take immediate action towards achieving these smaller goals, rather than waiting for the perfect moment.
- Embrace the idea that progress is a gradual process, and every step forward brings you closer to your ultimate objectives.

8. **Eliminate Tasks You Dislike:**

- Identify tasks that you find unpleasant or draining and eliminate them from your routine whenever possible.
- Delegate these tasks to others or find ways to automate them, freeing up your time and energy for activities that align with your passions and strengths.

9. **Embrace Calculated Risks:**

- Recognize that calculated risks are often necessary for growth and progress.
- Weigh the potential rewards against the potential consequences and make informed decisions.
- Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and take calculated risks when opportunities arise.

10. **Maintain a Positive Mindset:**

- Cultivate a positive outlook on life and focus on the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead.
- Surround yourself with positive influences, such as books, podcasts, and mentors, to reinforce a positive mindset.
- Practice gratitude and appreciate the good things in your life, even during challenging times.

11. **Prioritize Self-Care:**

- Recognize the importance of taking care of your physical and mental well-being.
- Engage in activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation, such as exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature.
- Set boundaries and limits to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

12. **Embrace Continuous Learning:**

- Commit to lifelong learning and seek opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.
- Read books, attend workshops, and engage in online courses to stay updated with the latest trends and developments in your field.
- Be open to new ideas and perspectives, and embrace the growth mindset that allows you to learn from mistakes and setbacks.

[00:00.000 -> 00:01.000] Hey, I'm Ryan Reynolds.
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[02:08.600 -> 02:13.360] Hey there, welcome along to another Bitesize episode of the High Performance Podcast. Can
[02:13.360 -> 02:18.120] Damien and I just pause for a moment to say thank you so much for the hundreds of thousands
[02:18.120 -> 02:22.880] of downloads every single week, the messages coming in directly to us across social media,
[02:22.880 -> 02:26.160] for the people that have bought the new book, for the people that have bought tickets
[02:26.160 -> 02:28.140] to come and see us on the tour.
[02:28.140 -> 02:31.500] It's amazing and we're incredibly grateful.
[02:31.500 -> 02:32.860] The journey's only just started,
[02:32.860 -> 02:34.560] but please don't keep sending us messages
[02:34.560 -> 02:36.120] telling us that we've changed your life.
[02:36.120 -> 02:37.840] Please understand that you're the ones
[02:37.840 -> 02:39.000] that have done it to yourselves.
[02:39.000 -> 02:43.440] You are totally and utterly 100% responsible.
[02:43.440 -> 02:44.980] So well done to you.
[02:44.980 -> 02:46.280] Before we go any further, big thanks to
[02:46.280 -> 02:49.800] our founding partner Lotus Cars for their involvement in today's episode of
[02:49.800 -> 02:53.860] the High Performance Podcast. It's a short bite-sized conversation with one
[02:53.860 -> 02:58.240] of the most successful business people ever to walk the earth. He was named the
[02:58.240 -> 03:02.960] most influential Briton of black or African origin in a recent award
[03:02.960 -> 03:07.520] ceremony, just pipping storms in Lewis Hamilton to top spot. No big deal there
[03:07.960 -> 03:11.000] This was a conversation with the absolutely inspiring
[03:11.760 -> 03:13.640] Rick Lewis
[03:13.640 -> 03:17.120] Someone come up to me and I go, okay, how seriously about this if you're serious
[03:17.440 -> 03:22.200] Write me three or four pages on what you're doing what you're gonna do and what you do at the time
[03:23.240 -> 03:25.160] 98% of them don't do that.
[03:25.160 -> 03:26.000] Brilliant.
[03:26.000 -> 03:28.000] So they want you to help them if you'll teach them
[03:28.000 -> 03:29.640] and drag them up the hill.
[03:29.640 -> 03:32.320] But if you ask them to go, you invest in this,
[03:32.320 -> 03:35.560] you be serious about it, think about it,
[03:35.560 -> 03:37.120] and then come back to me with a plan
[03:37.120 -> 03:41.000] on how you'd use my time, a lot of them go away.
[03:41.000 -> 03:43.280] I think that we all have different styles
[03:43.280 -> 03:44.320] on how we do things.
[03:44.320 -> 03:47.160] And all I ask is that people think about it and
[03:47.780 -> 03:55.240] Then do it right reduce the speed to action and achieving like the planning part make sometimes people
[03:56.360 -> 04:02.580] Sometimes people confuse activity with productivity or they think I'm doing it like I've been doing my homework
[04:02.580 -> 04:05.100] I'm like, but are you learning?
[04:05.100 -> 04:08.580] Or I've been mapping out all the steps to do this,
[04:08.580 -> 04:09.900] but hey, but you actually done it.
[04:09.900 -> 04:11.040] So what if you're not certain?
[04:11.040 -> 04:13.700] What if you're only 51% sure
[04:13.700 -> 04:15.460] that the decision you're making is the right one
[04:15.460 -> 04:17.160] and I come to you and I've gone, look,
[04:17.160 -> 04:18.380] I've got some great speed here,
[04:18.380 -> 04:19.620] but I've gone the wrong direction.
[04:19.620 -> 04:20.740] That's completely okay.
[04:20.740 -> 04:22.620] Because you know what, knowing what you know,
[04:22.620 -> 04:23.780] knowing what you don't know
[04:23.780 -> 04:25.540] and being able to ask is completely fine
[04:25.540 -> 04:28.380] I don't mind do that at the beginning do that in the middle
[04:28.500 -> 04:30.500] That's even a good excuse not to make progress
[04:30.860 -> 04:34.280] But what isn't a good excuse is we say we're gonna do thing in a week
[04:34.580 -> 04:38.100] You wait to two hours before the week's over and go, you know
[04:38.100 -> 04:42.700] I didn't understand the question and I got stuck in the middle like reduce that get that at the beginning
[04:43.620 -> 04:45.760] So two things there then Damien,
[04:45.760 -> 04:47.200] the second one I think is interesting
[04:47.200 -> 04:49.120] about speed to action, we'll talk about that in a moment
[04:49.120 -> 04:51.000] because we get lots of comments from people telling us
[04:51.000 -> 04:53.360] that they prevaricate too much
[04:53.360 -> 04:54.800] and that they just don't get on with things.
[04:54.800 -> 04:56.460] So we'll talk about that very shortly.
[04:56.460 -> 04:59.240] But before that, there was some really good advice,
[04:59.240 -> 05:01.980] wasn't there, about forming the circle around you.
[05:01.980 -> 05:03.840] And so often we talk on this podcast
[05:03.840 -> 05:05.400] and we hear from our high performers saying, yeah, yeah, I've got a really great unit around me and I trust them. y cyfeiriad o'ch gwmpas. Ac yn aml iawn, rydyn ni'n siarad ar y podcast hon ac rydyn ni'n clywed o'n cyflogau cyhoeddus,
[05:05.400 -> 05:06.920] ydyn ni'n dweud, ie, ie, rydw i wedi cael uned gwych
[05:06.920 -> 05:08.720] o gwmpas i mi ac rydw i'n credu iddyn nhw.
[05:08.720 -> 05:10.840] Y cynghoriad o Rick am sefydlu'r bobl hynny,
[05:10.840 -> 05:13.080] y chyfle, neu sefydlu trwythwyr ychydig
[05:13.080 -> 05:14.280] i'w gweld sut maen nhw'n cyrraedd,
[05:14.280 -> 05:15.760] mae'n gwbl ddau.
[05:15.760 -> 05:17.040] Rydw i'n hoffi, rydw i'n hoffi.
[05:17.040 -> 05:19.400] Mae'n fy nghymryd, rydw i wedi llawn y llyfr yn ôl
[05:19.400 -> 05:21.280] gan...
[05:21.280 -> 05:22.880] y llyfr oedd yn cael ei gynnal yn Ynys Iechyd
[05:22.880 -> 05:25.040] ac roedd yn cael ei gynnal gan dynol o'r gynllun Randy Porsche, sydd wedi cael ei gynnal fel canser terminal a oedd gan y dynion Randy Porche,
[05:25.040 -> 05:28.400] a oedd wedi cael ei ddiagnos fel terminal cancer,
[05:28.400 -> 05:33.400] ac roedd yn ei ddyniau diwethaf, a ddewis y llyfr o ran ei ddysgau bywyd.
[05:33.400 -> 05:36.200] Ac roedd ganddo ddau sylfaenau da i'w ddweud,
[05:36.200 -> 05:39.200] fel, sut ddechreuwch tenure fel profesor yn ddiwethaf?
[05:39.200 -> 05:43.600] Ac roedd yn dweud, dewis i fy mhrosodd ar ddeg dydd, ar 10 o'c, ac dweud.
[05:43.600 -> 06:27.520] Ac roedd yn debyg, fel cyflwyno rhyud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dweud, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dwi'n meddwl, dw gyda nhw bob dydd. Efallai nad ydyn ni'n siarad yn aml iawn am gwaith anodd, ydy, Damien?
[06:27.520 -> 06:30.160] Oherwydd dwi'n credu, nid yw'n unrhyw ddarn,
[06:30.160 -> 06:31.360] ond rwy'n credu ei fod yn rhoi rhai bobl i ffwrdd,
[06:31.360 -> 06:34.880] ond mae'r realiaeth o'r sefyllfa yw, os yw gwaith anodd yn rhoi rhaid i chi,
[06:35.680 -> 06:36.480] efallai nad yw arnoch chi.
[06:37.280 -> 06:38.240] Ie, yn aml iawn.
[06:38.240 -> 06:40.720] Mae gwaith anodd yn y cyfnod mwyaf i'r rhai o'r dynion.
[06:42.320 -> 06:43.520] O'ch chi'n cofio Sean Dyche,
[06:43.520 -> 06:46.480] roedd e ar ei ffwrdd a'i gynllunio ar Berneley.
[06:46.480 -> 06:50.680] Mae'r cymorth yn y cymorth cyflawniau y byddwch chi ddim yn mynd drwy'r ddraw
[06:50.680 -> 06:55.960] er mwyn i chi gael eich dynion yn ddiwrnodol a chael ychydig o swyddi ar eich brw.
[06:55.960 -> 07:01.880] Ac rwy'n credu, eto, mae'n ddifrifol iawn, yn ddifrifol, y bydd yr holl fathau yn ymwneud ag e.
[07:01.880 -> 07:07.000] Ac yna rydyn ni wedi sgwrs gyda Rick ar ôl hynny, fel y gwelwch chi, ar ôl siarad am sut rydyn ni'n ffynnu
[07:07.000 -> 07:09.000] y bobl o'ch gwmpas.
[07:09.000 -> 07:11.000] Roedd e'n rhannu gyda ni rhai mwy o ddŵr a chwaith.
[07:11.000 -> 07:13.000] Beth wnaethwch chi'n ei wneud o hynny, Damien?
[07:13.000 -> 07:15.000] Unwaith eto, rwy'n credu mai oedd y penderfyniad
[07:15.000 -> 07:17.000] nad ydych chi'n gwaith ar y gofyniad,
[07:17.000 -> 07:19.000] rydyn ni'n dechrau gweithio ac mae'r gofyniad
[07:19.000 -> 07:21.000] yn dod ar ôl hynny.
[07:21.000 -> 07:23.000] Mae'n ymwneud â'r bod yn rhaid i chi roi'r energia
[07:23.000 -> 07:27.000] ac mae hynny'n cynnwys ymdrechion a phrofodau energia.
[07:27.000 -> 07:32.000] Mae gwartal ar gyfer energia neu ysbrydol i'r cymryd yn ymgyrch fwyaf.
[07:32.000 -> 07:36.000] Ac hefyd, dwi'n dweud hyn yn aml i bobl pan maen nhw'n siarad am ddim yn mynd i mewn,
[07:36.000 -> 07:38.000] dwi'n dweud, mae'r moment hwn yn mynd i mewn.
[07:38.000 -> 07:43.000] Os ydych chi'n mynd i fynd i F, byddwch chi'n rhaid dechrau ar A,
[07:43.000 -> 07:47.200] ac os ydych chi ddim yn dechrau heddiw, byddwch chi'n dechrau yma. Ac os ydych chi ddim yn dechrau heddiw, byddwch chi'n dechrau y dydd dilyn. to F, you're going to have to start at A, and if you don't start today, you'll have to start tomorrow, and if you don't start tomorrow, you'll start the following day.
[07:47.200 -> 07:50.280] It is about getting going and understanding that moment is going to come anyway.
[07:50.280 -> 07:51.960] So you might as well just do it right now.
[07:51.960 -> 07:55.680] And one of my big things is I always used to find that the things I didn't want to do
[07:55.680 -> 07:57.600] got in the way of the things I did want to do.
[07:57.600 -> 08:00.720] So I do the things I want to do, but in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, oh, I've got
[08:00.720 -> 08:04.880] to make this phone call, oh, I've got to have that conversation, oh, I've got to do that.
[08:04.880 -> 08:07.000] So then the challenge becomes, how do you get over that? ac mae'n dweud, oh, rhaid i mi wneud y cwhliad hwn, oh, rhaid i mi gael y sgwrs hwn, oh, rhaid i mi wneud hynny. Felly yna mae'r heri'n dweud, sut yw'n mynd i dros hwn?
[08:07.000 -> 08:11.000] Wel, y cyfrifiad yw, y pethau y byddwch chi ddim eisiau ei wneud, rydych chi'n eu gwneud, rydych chi'n eu gwneud allan.
[08:11.000 -> 08:16.000] Y cwhliad cwhliad anodd y byddwch chi ddim eisiau ei wneud, y sgwrs gyda'r partner neu'r ffrind y byddwch chi ddim eisiau ei wneud,
[08:16.000 -> 08:19.000] y sgwrs gyda'r cwmni gwaith y byddwch chi'n gwybod nad yw'n mynd i fod yn dda iawn,
[08:19.000 -> 08:22.000] gael y pethau allan, yna mae'n gysylltu â'ch meddwl, mae'n gysylltu â'ch diwrnod,
[08:22.000 -> 09:09.400] ac yna gallwch chi wneud y mwyaf o'r diwrnod o'ch gn dweud, rys He then came on and shared all 12 with us on the high performance podcast We were honored and humbled about that and I know that you will get so much from it. All right, Damien. Thanks a lot, man
[09:09.480 -> 09:10.640] Thanks, Jake. Love that
[09:10.640 -> 09:15.440] Don't forget click the link in the podcast to order the new high performance book lessons from the best on
[09:15.960 -> 09:18.280] Becoming your best and we'll see you for a new episode
[09:18.920 -> 09:25.600] Very soon get all the information you need about this podcast and so much more at thehighperformancepodcast.com